NTSB FTW96LA114 — 1996-02-10 · ALPINE, Texas, United States

Current FAA registration · N9167J

Make / Model: MOONEY M20M
Year of manufacture: 1994 · 2 years old at event
Engine: LYCOMING TI0-540 SER (310 hp)
Seats / Engines: 4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19940505
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S ACB04B

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N9167J Mooney M20M None

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a misjudged landing flare resulting in a hard landing.

Factual narrative

On February 10, 1996, at 1000 central standard time, a Mooney M20M, N9167J, was substantially damaged during a hard landing near Alpine, Texas. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was being operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated in Houston, Texas, at 0730. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the destination and an IFR flight plan was filed. On the Pilot/Operator report, the pilot stated that, during the final approach, airspeed was maintained until near the threshold when power was reduced and the aircraft was flared for landing. The flare was high and the aircraft dropped 10 to 12 feet for the hard landing. Subsequently, the airplane departed the runway and struck a drainage ditch. The propeller, landing gear, and left wing spar were damaged. The landing flare was high and the aircraft dropped 10 to 12 feet for a hard landing. The airplane departed the runway striking a drainage ditch, collapsing the landing gear, and damaging the left wing spar. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1996_FTW96LA114.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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